KALAMAZOO — Any coach worth his whistle is willing to own up to a tactical error, think on his feet and act quickly to make the necessary changes.

Jeff Blashill demonstrated that skill set this week without setting foot in the film room or lacing up his skates.

The Western Michigan University hockey coach was discussing his return this weekend to Ferris State University, where he played goaltender and later started building his coaching resume, for the first time as a collegiate head coach.

On the opposing bench will stand his collegiate head coach in Bob Daniels, one of his assistant coaches in Drew Famulak, and the man who recruited him to play for the Bulldogs in Mark Kaufman. His brother, Tim Blashill, is the assistant manager at Ewigleben Ice Arena.

Asked about the significance of the occasion, Blashill at first suggested the series would be just another important test for a Broncos squad that is ranked nationally — No. 16 by USCHO.com — for the first time since March 2002.

“Probably the first couple times I went back after I’d left there for Miami (University), it was an interesting experience just because I’d been there for eight years,” Blashill said. “But now that time has gone by … I’m just worried about making sure we’re prepared.”

Blashill talked just a moment or two more about his time in Big Rapids — the place where he met his wife, Erica, and began developing the coaching philosophy that drives him today.

WMU vs. Ferris State

“You know what, it is (special),” Blashill said of the trip to Big Rapids. “I very much enjoy competing against people I like as much as I do them. There’s definitely significance to being able to go there and play against good friends, to the place where I met my wife.

“There’s a human element to it that’s pretty cool.”

Now in his 19th season as head coach, Daniels was the Bulldogs’ third-year bench boss when Blashill arrived in 1994. Daniels has gone on to build an impressive resume in Big Rapids, including being named American Hockey Coaches Association Division I national coach of the year after a 31-win season in 2002-03.

Blashill said Daniels and Famulak, who joined Daniels in 1994, have been positively influencing players’ lives since their early days with the program.

“They had a significant impact on me as a human being and a hockey coach,” Blashill said. “As a hockey coach, they taught me the attention to detail and organization you need. They were just great mentors to have as a young coach.

“As human beings, they’re just wonderful people. Just great people. For them, within the scope of competition, hockey is unbelievably important. But they also understand there is life beyond hockey, and I never once didn’t understand that because of the great example they gave me. They really gave me a great foundation for being a hockey coach.”

Blashill played in 58 games his first two seasons at Ferris State, but saw action in only 20 games over his last two seasons. As the playing time declined, Daniels said Blashill began to show a penchant for coaching.

“Both Drew and I did spot that in him — not early on, but as time when on,” Daniels said. “The two things that struck me (were) his overall knowledge of the game and his ability to express his thoughts. He asked good questions.”

Blashill joined Daniels’ staff for the 1999-2000 season and stayed for three seasons before leaving for Miami. For Blashill, Daniels has transformed from mentor to one of his best friends in the coaching fraternity.

About the only time you’ll catch the Daniels and Blashill sniping at each other is when the conversation turns to another sport that involves swinging sticks.

“I did enjoy beating both of them in golf this summer,” Blashill said of Daniels and Famulak. “Must be they’re getting a little bit older because I seem to be beating them on a regular basis.”

Daniels chuckled when he heard that.

“Not all at. Not even close,” Daniels said of Blashill’s victory claim on the golf course. “That’s his one personality flaw, he over-evaluates his golf game. He’s awful.

“He hits from the middle tees and we hit from the back tees, that’s the only reason it’s gotten to be competitive. He plays golf like a goalie — that’s his problem.”

THE MATCHUPWMU vs. Ferris StateRecords: WMU 6-2-2 (2-1-1-0 CCHA); Ferris State 5-5-2 (2-4-2-2)Series: Broncos lead 66-49-10About WMU: The Broncos come off a bye week looking to build on the momentum of sweeping then-No. 12 Michigan State. Senior Max Campbell (5 goals, 4 assists) is WMU’s leading scorer, while junior Greg Squires (3, 4) and freshmen Chase Balisy (3, 4) and Shane Berschbach (1, 6) are tied for second. Goaltender Nick Pisellini is 6-1-2 with a 1.85 goals-against average and .923 saves percentage. WMU has the top power play (20.9 percent) and No. 4 penalty kill (85.7) among CCHA clubs.About Ferris State: The Bulldogs were shut out at Lake Superior State last week, losing 1-0 and 4-0, and are averaging just 2.17 goals per game, tying them with Bowling Green for last among CCHA teams. Senior defenseman Zach Redmond (4 goals, 5 assists) is the only player with more than six points. Senior goaltender Pat Nagle (1.95 GAA and .924 SP) has been excellent. The Bulldogs rank fifth on the power play (17.6 percent) and third in penalty killing (86.4 percent).